XP - The Future of Secure Operating Systems?

Finally, the future has arrived! With the launch of Microsoft's anxiously awaited Windows XP, we can all breath a little easier as Security Administrators. Alright, so we all know that is an utter lie but maybe, just maybe our jobs will be a little bit easier because of XP. Rumor has it that this is the most stable and secure version of Windows that Microsoft has ever released. For most of you, that isn't really saying much. The point is though that the product is improving are getting better. Of course there are vulnerabilities in XP, there were vulnerabilities in Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, etc., etc., etc. But if you take a step backwards and compare how much work you have to do to secure a Windows 9x machine, if it is possible, and how much work you have to do to secure a Windows 2000 machine I believe its pretty obvious the point I'm trying to make here. The world will always be full of Microsoft critics; I have come to realize that is almost a universal law. In fact, in numerous ways I am also one of them. But it's time to step up to the plate and admit that things are moving in a positive direction. XP is a major step in that direction and the following explains why.